MS AG Commissioner thinks these proposed bills threaten Dixie National Rodeo. See more

Two bills aiming to regulate how the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce raises or collects funds from the Dixie National Rodeo and the Agriculture and Forestry Museum have moved forward in the Mississippi Legislature.

The only problem? MDAC Commissioner Andy Gipson believes the proposed laws would take away his ability to effectively fundraise from private donors, obtain sponsorships or even put on festivities at the Mississippi State Fair Grounds or at the agriculture museum, as well as other local events. The bills would also place any private dollars into the hands of lawmakers for final approval, Gipson said.

“I have already been contacted by the main Dixie National Rodeo and State Fair sponsors, as well as by dozens of other event promoters who are adamantly opposed to these bills," Gipson said Tuesday in a written complaint to lawmakers. "They see this as a money-grab by the Legislature; a true attempt to confiscate their voluntary private sponsorship dollars by the State. The result of this legislation will either be diminished investment in the Mississippi State Fairgrounds and the Agriculture and Forestry Museum, or an increase in taxpayer dollars going toward those facilities instead of private sector dollars. Both outcomes are unnecessary. Past legislatures have created laws and policies for the Fairgrounds and Museum to operate under state control but in the mode of a business to save taxpayer dollars.”

Both pieces of legislation, House Bill 1357 and Senate Bill 2631 have passed on to be considered by the other chamber.

On Monday, Rep. Henry Zuber, R- Ocean Springs, presented HB 1357 and it passed 110-4 with almost no discussion related to the bill from his fellow lawmakers.

Essentially, the bill would remove Gipson's right to automatically increase his department's overall budget by taking away an escalation clause within the MDAC's framework. It would also require that any money dedicated to MDAC from the rodeo or the museum in private funds be "appropriate" and approved by lawmakers.

On Tuesday, the Mississippi Senate passed a similar bill to bring Gipson's fundraising into line with other state agencies that need approval from lawmakers before spending funds on festivities such as the state fair and the rodeo. That bill would also concretely define the location of the state fair every year.

Sen. Briggs Hopson, R-Vicksburg, presented the bill and told lawmakers he had even spoken to Gipson about his concerns, but that he feels MDAC still needs more legislative oversight when it comes to spending money. That bill passed 48-3.

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Gipson, who released his own thoughts on both bills Tuesday, said he hopes others will express their own disapproval of the bill and be in favor of what he said is the right way to raise and manage funds on state festivities, which should not include state oversight on private donations or sponsorships.

“All of our great livestock shows and horse shows would be at risk, plus any Trade Mart, Fordice Equine Center and Coliseum events," Gipson said. "I do not believe our Legislators really want to jeopardize the future of the Mississippi State Fairgrounds and Ag Museum.”

Both bills have been sent to the other chamber for further consideration. For either to move further along, they will need to be passed out of committee by April 2.

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Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State Fair funding could be decided by legislature, not MDAC